School board green lights eminent domain

Duluth, Minn.

Despite emotional and sometimes teary-eyed objections from homeowners, a school board has approved using eminent domain to take privately owned land and develop new schools as part of its "Red Plan."

About 40 community members voiced their objections at a Duluth, Minn., school board meeting last night, the Duluth News Tribune reported.

Residents pleaded with officials for more than an hour, asking them not to seize their homes.

Then the board voted 6-1 for the plan.

Member Gary Glass was the only person to vote against it.

Homeowner Tina Legarde told officials, "If the board approves a resolution to use eminent domain now or in the future … you will resemble a bully on a playground who takes by force that which he wants."

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While the resolution allows the school board to begin talks with real estate firm F.I. Salter to consider forcing homeowners to sell, one official claims the district's decision does not mean it will exercise eminent domain to acquire the properties.

"This gives us the ability to use eminent domain as part of the process … if it becomes necessary," said Bill Hanson, business director for the Duluth school district. "That would not be the district's preference."

According to the News Tribune report, nine homeowners in the Ordean neighborhood have refused to leave their homes, while 30 residents signed agreements to sell their houses to the district for expansion of a middle school.

The meeting was heated at times. Emotional residents shouted at board members and criticized schematic designs for the middle school.

Teary-eyed homeowner Robert Arch told the board, "I love Duluth and I love my neighborhood and this plan will destroy our neighborhood."

Superintendent Keith Dixon told the News Tribune the district will not consider exercising eminent domain until designs are approved for the school locations – as early as this spring.

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